Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Overwhelming Majority of Americans Say: 'Just Label It!'

New Consumers Report poll finds that 92
percent of respondents want the government to require labeling of
genetically engineered foods.

- Lauren McCauley, staff writer

Ninety-two
percent of Americans want the government to require GE foods to be
labeled, according to the results of a new survey. (Photo: Cedar Circle
Farm & Education Center/ Creative Commons)An
overwhelming majority of Americans think that genetically engineered
(GE) foods should be labeled before they are sold, according to a new
Consumer Reports poll released on Monday. The nationally-representative phone survey
found that 92 percent of respondents think that GE foods, or those made
with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), should be labeled
accordingly. Further, 92 percent also think that the government should
legally require the labeling of GE salmon—which may soon be approved and
sold in stores—despite the fact that the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) currently requires neither labeling nor pre-market safety
assessments of GE food.The survey, taken in April 2014, assessed the importance of various
factors that consumers weigh when purchasing food. According to the
results, 72 percent said it was important or very important to avoid
genetically engineered ingredients when making purchases.“This poll underscores that, across the country, consumers want
labeling of GE food, including GE salmon, and consider safety standards
set by the government of such food imperative," said Jean Halloran,
Director of Food Policy Initiatives at Consumers Union.Growing public opposition to GE foods comes as numerous states have
begun to surpass the FDA by passing their own labeling legislation.Last month, Vermont became the
first state to require the labeling of foods with genetically modified
ingredients. Similar legislation, which included "trigger clauses" that
require a certain number of other states to also enact similar laws,
passed in both Connecticut and Maine. Lawmakers in Massachusetts, Oregon, Colorado, and New York are also weighing labeling proposals.

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